Injured firefighter released from hospital nearly a week after Kettering house fire

Officials investigating possible arson

The 21-year-old Prince George's County firefighter injured last week in a Kettering fire was still slightly stiff Tuesday during his release from an area hospital and had a telltale raspy voice from a respiratory infection, but after surviving devastating burns, he says it's "amazing to be going home alive."

Daniel McGown, 21, of Owings, a four-year career firefighter at the Largo Fire/EMS Station, was released from Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., after six days of treatment for second- and third-degree burns to his face during an April 8 house fire that is being investigated as possible arson, according to fire officials.

"I'm feeling better," he said with broken, strained speech. "I'm hoping for a quick recovery so I can get back on the street."

McGown said he didn't remember much right from before or after he was injured in the blaze.

His father, William McGown, a longtime veteran of the department, has been by his son's side and said doctors initially expected him to be hospitalized for two weeks.

"He's beat all the odds," William McGown said. "We had 100 firefighters here [visiting] — there isn't anything negative to say about the entire process, other than I wish it didn't have to happen."

Mark Brady, chief spokesman for the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, said the recovery process will take months at home, with several visits per week to the hospital's burn unit.

"He wants to get back out to work — he has a lot of drive," Brady said. "He's a young guy with a lot of strength. It's helped him and will continue to help him recover."

The fire department has released daily updates on McGown's progress and firefighters have rallied around McGown.

Lt. Jim Key, a member of the Landover Hills Volunteer Fire Department in Hyattsville, created the Facebook page "Be Strong Firefighter Daniel McGown" only hours after McGown was injured.

More than 7,400 people have joined the group, from as far away as Greece, and there were more than 1,000 messages on the page Wednesday.

"I [didn't have] the opportunity to visit the hospital, which is why I did the Facebook page," Key said. "I just wanted a place for people to put their thoughts. This support network starts the minute the injury occurs, without question — we're an extended family."

William McGown retired in 2006 as deputy fire chief after a 25-year career in the county department and is currently the county's deputy director for public safety communications.

"I have been on the other end of these situations many times during my career," he said in a statement Friday. "I was never quite sure if the support system we provided to the family and the injured was working or worthwhile. I know now, being on the other end of the support, it works."

William McGown's daughter, Kimberly McGown Blackistone, is a seven-year career county firefighter/paramedic.

A male and female firefighter from the Largo station were also injured in the fire, sustaining minor burns, Brady said. They were treated and released.

A safety investigation team, led by Fire Maj. Jerome LaMoria, is investigating the circumstances of the three injuries that occurred during the fire at a home on Herrington Drive. The team is reviewing data and interviews collected from the scene, fire officials said. The review will take several weeks.

Karen Bivins and her two adult sons, Timothy and Anthony Bivins, were home when the fire began around 2 a.m., fire officials said. Their car and carport, the origin of the fire, were engulfed in flames, which spread to their two-story home. The family escaped uninjured.

County fire investigators and county police are continuing their criminal investigation of the fire. Brady said fire officials believe the fire was set, and he said last week the Bivins and another family were involved in an ongoing dispute.

Forensic evidence has been sent to a laboratory, and the investigation is "extremely active," Brady said.

Some neighbors described an explosion heard from the home.

"It sounded like a plane crash. A shock went through my body — you could feel it," said Chris Aluise, 23, who lives next door to the Bivins and said the fire melted some of the siding on his home.

Marquita Jackson, 22, was sleeping only a few houses away from the Bivins' home when she heard a loud noise.

"[The fire damage] looks really bad," she said. "I'm happy everyone is OK from the way it looks."

The fire, which caused an estimated $200,000 in damage, was extinguished in 30 minutes by the 35 firefighters on the scene.

Anyone with information about the case may call Crime Solvers. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call 866-411-8477 or text "PGPD (plus the crime tip)" to CRIMES (274637) or visit www.pgpolice.org to submit a tip online.

A cash reward is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspect(s).